Wanted Man in Stolen Vehicle Attempts to Flee From Authorities; Causes Multiple Vehicle Crash on Route 9 in West Virginia

Editor's note: the following comes from a press release from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. It has not been edited.

A Washington, DC man is facing multiple charges after he attempted to flee from authorities in a stolen vehicle before crashing into two other vehicles on Route 9 near the Virginia-West Virginia border.

Michael D. Brown, 40, is facing charges of felony speeding to elude, reckless driving, possession of a stolen vehicle and driving on a suspended license. The suspect is also wanted in Arlington County, Virginia for a probation violation surrounding property crime charges.

The incident began around 2:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 when a Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle traveling westbound on Route 9 near the Town of Hillsboro.

The deputy, who was traveling eastbound, activated his emergency equipment. At this time the suspect vehicle began to accelerate and the deputy marked in pursuit.

Due to the direction of travel of the suspect vehicle and the proximity of the pursuit to West Virginia, dispatchers from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center notified the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. As the suspect vehicle crossed into West Virginia the deputy terminated the pursuit.

The deputy lost sight of the vehicle but continued into West Virginia at highway speeds where, after approximately one mile, he discovered the suspect vehicle was involved in a three vehicle crash. The crash is under investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (WV).

Brown was airlifted to INOVA Fairfax Hospital where he remains hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Three other patients were airlifted from the scene and two others were transported to a local hospital.